I was inspired by a post on Tactical Philanthropy, "Will the Kiva Card
be for philanthropists what American Express "Black" is to Hollywood?"
For those who don't know, the Amex Black Card, aka the Centaurian Card,
has held a sort of
legendary status in our culture. The oohs and ahhs of the impressed
have provided many a celebrity and high roller with the savory goodness
of immediate gratification. Flashing it in a fancy restaurant or
shwanky hotel will not only get you that corner table, but also the
"respect" that comes with being seen as a V,VIP.
The Centaurian Card...oooooo
But it's time to stick that black card in the back of your calf skin wallet, because there's a new kid on the block...and she's brown, not black. Her name is the KivaB4B credit card.
Very Nice.
In the parlance of our times, the KivaB4B card is the Fo-Shizzle.* (see below for important note)
But let's get down to a more objective comparison between the two cards.
Basic Overview:
The Unique Selling Proposition:
Searching online for quotes from people who use the black card, this one captures some of its flavor:
If, however, your aspirations are still more oriented towards status 1.0, there's an even more fabulous option than the black card. MasterCard's newest high end offer is an invitation only card from a Dubai Bank, Dubai First.
Intended for the super wealthy, the card has a fat diamond in the middle that I suppose you could sell if the economy hits you too hard.
For all of you who are evolving towards status 2.0, where our contribution to helping others is more prominent, be sure to consider the KivaB4B card. Just think, instead of buying that $1million private jet with a carefree swipe of your card, you could make 10,000 $100 Kiva loans.
Brown is the new Black. Fo Shizzle.
*(Important note - Snoop Dogg did NOT originate the colliquialism of adding the suffix' -izzle, -eezy, -iggedy and so forth to common everyday phrases. Although sometimes called "Snoop speak," because it was popularized by Snoop Dogg, it was used much earlier by Frankie Smith in his 1981 hit single "The Double Dutch Bus." Also note, Carnies, aka carnival workers, have used "iz" in precisely the same fashion for centuries).
The Centaurian Card...oooooo
But it's time to stick that black card in the back of your calf skin wallet, because there's a new kid on the block...and she's brown, not black. Her name is the KivaB4B credit card.
Very Nice.
In the parlance of our times, the KivaB4B card is the Fo-Shizzle.* (see below for important note)
But let's get down to a more objective comparison between the two cards.
Basic Overview:
- The Amex Black Card is a fancy black credit card that has extremely high spending limits and built in bragging tools.
- The
KivaB4B credit card allows small business owners the chance to double
their impact when making loans to entrepreneurs in developing
countries. It also provides the "Very Best Offer" in the business
credit card market. And if you use it just once, you'll go straight to
heaven (or some place nice). (Note: Advanta can't guarantee where in the heavenly realm you'll go).
The Unique Selling Proposition:
- AMEX's "Centaurian"
card is clearly trying to sell
an image of mythological power, (Centaurian refers to a race of
monsters having the head, trunk, and arms of a man, and the body and
legs of a horse). I presume that Amex is saying, "Use this card and you
can run fast and kick people." Of course, as with all credit card
offers, there should be small print...something to the effect of, "We
are not responsible for the embarrassment or the mess resulting when
you can't get into the bathroom of that fancy French bistro." Flashing
the Amex black card will feel good, but it's the same kind of "good"
feeling you get when you stuff yourself with
Cool Ranch Doritos and a Diet Coke while watching reruns of Ultimate
Fighting on TV...a bit of adrenaline, some artificial flavor, but not
the kind of feeling the Dalai Lama suggests cultivating over the long
run.
- The KivaB4B card, on the other hand, promises a more real and lasting sense of well-being. It not only offers that Gandhian sense of goodness, but it provides the immediate satisfaction that is not pre-packaged and cheap, but more like the feelings you experience when sharing a beautifully prepared meal with best friends on a porch overlooking a lake on a perfect summer evening. Do you hear the crickets?
Searching online for quotes from people who use the black card, this one captures some of its flavor:
- "Have you used the concierge service, if so what for, and have you used it for anything ridiculous:
Oh yes. Ellen show tickets." Ellen Show tickets??
- Let's compare that response with a quote from a KivaB4B card user. "Anybody can make a difference with MicroFinance. I chose to help start a pharmacy."
If, however, your aspirations are still more oriented towards status 1.0, there's an even more fabulous option than the black card. MasterCard's newest high end offer is an invitation only card from a Dubai Bank, Dubai First.
Intended for the super wealthy, the card has a fat diamond in the middle that I suppose you could sell if the economy hits you too hard.
For all of you who are evolving towards status 2.0, where our contribution to helping others is more prominent, be sure to consider the KivaB4B card. Just think, instead of buying that $1million private jet with a carefree swipe of your card, you could make 10,000 $100 Kiva loans.
Brown is the new Black. Fo Shizzle.
*(Important note - Snoop Dogg did NOT originate the colliquialism of adding the suffix' -izzle, -eezy, -iggedy and so forth to common everyday phrases. Although sometimes called "Snoop speak," because it was popularized by Snoop Dogg, it was used much earlier by Frankie Smith in his 1981 hit single "The Double Dutch Bus." Also note, Carnies, aka carnival workers, have used "iz" in precisely the same fashion for centuries).
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